PERSONAL dilemmas

From March 8, we are going to be allowed to meet one friend outdoors for coffee on a bench or a picnic, without the deadening wholesome thud of exercise as cover.

From March 29, we will see the return of the rule of six, so six people from up to six different households will be allowed to meet outside, or two households will be allowed to meet outside even if together they number more than six. Heady times indeed.

I envisage myself racing to my local park in the manner of a post-war debutant dashing to the Dorchester.

But inevitably, with great choice comes great responsibility. We are practised at this now, but naturally people’s feelings get hurt if they are not the Special One, or part of the Super Six.

If that person is you, take a breath and realise no one is doing this specifically to hurt your feelings and your day on the park bench or at the picnic table will come.

If someone else’s feelings are hurt, reassure them that you are looking forward to seeing them as soon as time and the weather allow (if that is what you want; see boundaries).

We are all feeling a little raw and weary right now and emotions are heightened. It is also going to be exhausting after all of this time to go back to anything like a social life, however limited, so allow for that when you are dealing with other people’s overtired behaviour.